Help Picking the right breed--

[HarleysMom]

My aunt and grandma are looking to adopt another dog--Here is the story--My grandma lived on her own and helped my mom(who had a stroke when I was 5yrs old) When my mother passed away a couple of years ago my grandmothers health went down hill--she had open heart surgery and almost didn't make it--now a couple years later she is doing great but sold her house and lives with my aunt...Grandma always had Min. Schnauzer's and loves the breed--my aunt had a Blue Heeler--Unforn. due to old age both have since passed away--The Min Schnauzer was 17yrs old and the Blue Heeler was 14 yrs old--BOTH where loved pets and indoors only---it has been about a year since the Blue Heeler passed and they are now ready to adopt another dog....

My grandma has an apartment downstairs and aunt lives up stairs--Nice brand new house UNFORN. NOT fenced yet but will be this summer--they live in a great neighborhood and have a huge corn field behind the back yard...Only animals they have are a cat that was adopted a few years ago...

My grandma is home all day--aunt works--my grandma is the one mainly wanting the dog but since she doesn't drive my aunt is also involved as she would be the one taking to vet or groomer etc...Grandma wants another Min Schn. but aunt doesn't because of the grooming needs--

So I am helping them find a dog that will be good for them--This is the situation--needs to be a small dog OBV. will spend most of its time with my grandmother- Needs to be a dog that is not extremely active but ok to go for long walks with my aunt and prob to the lake in the summers. They don't want a loud breed--actually looking for one that doesn't bark much and that is easy to train. My grandmother is in her 80's BUT very active and does everything on her own. As for grooming well I THINK I can get my aunt over that--we have a groomer where I work who has said he would groom the dog for little or no cost and I can pick the dog up on grooming dates and take it back home--They live about 2-3 miles from my work and it is on the way as I go to work.. SO that I THINK can be a bit over looked...Although grandma wants the Schn. my aunt says thats OUT.. But we will see...

MY aunt wants a Westie--which we see alot of at work because the Missouri Westie Rescue uses our vets for services etc.. UNFORN. I myself do not think this is the breed for them..I have spoken to the people at the rescue and they seem to agree this is prob not the breed that they are looking for as well. BUT I Guess I could be wrong.. they seem very Yappie and HYPER to me.. again only seeing them in a vets office I could be totally wrong..

I have done rescue and fostered many many dogs in the past HOWEVER-- I tend to stick with the large breed dogs- I feel they fit in with my lifestyle alot better--they only small breed I ever fostered was a 1 yr old JRT and I THOUGHT I was going to go insane.. LOL I know very little about the smaller breeds so thought I would come here and ask--I know there are alot of GREAT owners here as well as many that rescue--SO ANY IDEAS..??

Again looking for small breed--not overly active--easy to train esp housebreak--can get along with a cat and KIDS(my kids and others visit often) Would be happy being inside lounging around with my grandmother but still ready to go for walks with my aunt--We do have alot of family get togethers over there with alot of people and children including toddlers running around as well..Not a big barker--they do not crate train as the dog would never be left alone and if it ever was it would be for VERY short amounts of time AT the most 2 hours.(If grandma went to doctor appt or something)

[calgal]

I would just look into all the rescues and find a sweet older dog for your grandmother. There are tons of wonderful little mix breeds looking for a home. Also keep looking at your local shelters. I wouldn't get her a puppy though. They need LOTS of excercise, attention and training, and would simply be too much on someone her age.

[HarleysMom]

We are looking at petfinder--so far I haven't found one that fits what they want as well as the look they are looking for-- UNFORN. for me and the dog they don't want a mixed breed--they are set of a purebred dog so they can have some idea of its background as far as size and temperment.. I have tried to get them to go with a mixed breed but its been a no go so far.. Adult dog is def. what they are looking for.. I don't want anything under 10 months old at least...So the search conts. I am mainly at this time just trying to figure out which SMALL breeds would be best so I can go from there-- Like I said I don't know alot about small breeds I have always had large breed dogs--although I work in a vets office and have learned alot about small breeds there In that situation you have to expect the dog to act alot different then it does normally as it is most likely scared and stressed from where it is---So I try to take that in to consideration----breeds I don't recommend because of behaviour shown at the clinic *which I shouldnt do* are the Westie--Dach.-Chi or Cocker--these are just the breeds we tend to have the most problems with there--BUT again this is a stressful place for them to be and I want to look past that but I have never lived with any of these breeds.. thats the main reason for coming here to find out more information regarding the small breeds from owners....

[poodlesmom]

How about a mini or toy poodle since you can handle the grooming pick up & delivery. Personally I think poodles are one of the easiest to train and they only require clips about every 8 wks if you keep them in a short clip & they are very easy to keep up between grooming. Plus a mini would love the lake!

[BellFounder]

I would recommend a cavalier king charles spaniel as long as you dont think it will get spoiled with too many treats and if someone will walk the dog daily (not necessarily a long walk just enough to get the dog panting a little bit) as they are prone to being overweight. They are easy to train and tend to be adaptable as adults.
A whippet may also be a good dog to look into. Like greyhounds they are not massively energetic and do well on two short walks (20mins) per day, possibly less if they get a lot of time in the backyard playing, so are very manageable for an older person.
Another breed you might like to consider is the shih tzu. They are nice little dogs and usually great with kids, their coats are not difficult to care for if they are kept in a "pet trim" rather than a show coat.
I would not recommend a terrier of any type as despite their small size they do need a lot of exercise and can be unruly if they dont get a lot of walking.
For getting an adult your best bet may actually be to contact a breeder and ask if they know anyone with an older dog they would rehome. Some breeders will rehome retired brood bitches or dogs they kept for the showring that havent quite made the cut if someone specifically asks them for an older dog rather than a pup.

[Ritz459]

I too think Terriers are out of the question. Terriers are barky, normally don't like smaller animals, and stubborn.
A Boston Terrier, CKC spaniel, Whippet, and maybe even a Basset Hound come to mind.

Also, if you are looking at adult dogs, the mixes already have developed their personality so guessing on that shouldn't be a problem. It is with the pups that their is the question about what their personality will mature to be. But adult dogs are pretty strait forward when it comes to temperment.

[Jenny]

Originally Posted by HarleysMom

UNFORN. for me and the dog they don't want a mixed breed--they are set of a purebred dog so they can have some idea of its background as far as size and temperment.. I have tried to get them to go with a mixed breed but its been a no go so far.. Adult dog is def. what they are looking for.. I don't want anything under 10 months old at least..

If you get a mixed breed as an adult, you wouldn't have to worry about what it's temperment and size is going to be like, it already is who it is.

I bet you could find the perfect mix that fits with the whole family.

[HarleysMom]

Im still pushing them to get a mixed as SO many need good homes--Unforn I do not live with my aunt and grandmother--and I am just trying to help them find one--BUT there are tons of purebred dogs in shelters looking for homes as well..-- I was thinking Poodle too--they seem so quiet and sweet when they come in to work and are so easy to handle and work with..I will talk to them about that as I found one at a local shelter looking for a home..

[GreenleafGreyhound]

Actually, a Whippet is the last dog I would recommend. If you want Mr. Kitty to live and not go insane, I would recommend against all terriers and sighthounds. Your terrier/sighthound might learn to tolerate the cat within the confines of the home, but outside is a completely different story. I've heard of so many nightmares where the Greyhound who once lived so comfortably with the family cat for years was discovered shredding the poor thing apart. It's ironic, though, because I was thinking to myself, "Wow. A Westie would really fit into this home" until you claimed it wouldn't

There is one breed that I really adore and hope to own in the future but I see them being disregarded all the time. They are affectionate dogs who simply EXCELL as therapy dogs. They are quiet, and rarely bark unless the occassion calls for them to sound the alarm (i.e. the doorbell ringing). They do not require a bunch of exercise, although daily walks are appreciated and they have been known to build up immense stamina (1-2 mile long walks). On top of that, although these dogs are NOT jumpy in the least, they are masters of agility. Likewise, they're easily trained but not to the point where they become neurotic if not given a job.

True to their ancient duties in the monasteries, Tibbies will vigorously alert you to any unusual event or arrival. Yet, they do not bark unnecessarily.

Neither nervous nor hyper, a Tibbie is like a large dog in a small body. In one compact package, they are both excellent watch dogs and very good bed dogs. They enjoy any high lookout such as a window sill from which to survey their territory and at the same time, they will be only too happy to cuddle up and keep you warm and or nestle on soft pillows or clean laundry. They have keen sight, acute hearing and good scenting powers, are very long lived and are not given to early aging.

-The TSCA

Tibetan Spaniels are not easy to find in the USA and are a rare treasure. Occassionally, you might find one in a rescue, but chances are you'll have to find a breeder. If that happens, I'd visit the TSCA's website and check the Breeder Referrals. A well-bred Tibbie is a priceless find

[Cassiepeia]

As much as I adore Chihuahua's and hate for you to put them in the "too hard" basket because most of the bad behaviour people see is down to the owners....I agree that they're not suitable for this situation. They're not great with kids and so that might be a problem. ALTHOUGH, an adult who is already set in their ways may be ok with them and already be housebroken (so just need a refresher to get it familar with the new environment). The whole 'yappy' thing isn't true either although some bark more than others. My guy rarely barks, it's so rare that when he does I have to go and see what he's barking at.

Anyhow, having said that. I second the idea for CKCS. WONDERFUL gentle, quiet dogs and perfect for eldely owners.

Cass.

[BellFounder]

oops i didnt see the cat bit! No sight hounds are not a good idea if you have a cat.

[linnie]

as an owner and a doting one at that of a tibbie I will say this they are a fabulous dog for a person who is home a lot.
As for being easy to train hmmmm mine trained me in a few weeks lol but i am still trying to teach her who is the real boss of the outfit.
they are an amazingly loving dog and not at all nervy.
I also think the cavalier is a great little dog.
But nothing could be better than a beautiful tibbie lol

[HarleysMom]

Chi. are cute and adorable--but the ones I have met tend to be one person type of dogs and not good with children that is why I don't think they would fit in well with what they are looking for...My step mom had one that was great with children and people in general and then she had another one that HATED everyone but her so Im sure some are fine but with toddlers hanging around I dont think it would be a good fit....

I never thought about the CKCS--I will have to talk to them some more and see what they think..

THANKS everyone for the great insight and ideas...

[linnie]

Must say also tibbies LOVE kids
My Izzie gets hauled around everywhere by my grandaughter and has never once been nasty in return.

[Shadowkins]

What about a pom or shitzu? They are small enough for an older person to pick up,cuddly and reasonable to have groomed? Just an idea.